Spain players Rodri and Alvaro Morata have been charged by UEFA for the ‘Gibraltar is Spanish’ chant at Euro 2024.
La Roja's stars were in a joyful mood as they celebrated their country winning the tournament, beating England 2-1 in the final.
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Spain's squad travelled home to Madrid and stood on a stage in front of their adoring fans, with Player of the Tournament Rodri taking to the mic.
"It's Spanish, Gibraltar is Spanish!" he cried out, with the crowd in attendance at Plaza de Cibeles also joining in.
Far from trying to start a diplomatic incident, Rodri may well have been responding to some England fans who chanted 'Gibraltar is ours!" ahead of the Euro 2024 final on Sunday.
They would also be wrong given that is a British territory and has been since 1713 when Gibraltar was ceded to Britain by the Spanish crown. Although Rodri was joking and simply celebrating a monumental victory, along with thousands of Spain fans, Morata was on hand to offer a quick reminder to the Manchester City star.
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Spain's Alvaro Morata sent Rodri a quick reminder of where he plays club football during a sing-song about Gibraltar.
"You play in England mate," the Atletico Madrid man told him, but this didn't seem to faze Rodri as he cheekily replied: "I don't care."
The Gibraltar FA, though, appeared to have taken offence and took action, releasing a statement to announce they will make an official complaint to UEFA regarding the chant.
Now, European football’s governing body has confirmed disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Rodri and Morata.
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The charges include violations of the general principles of conduct, basic rules of decent conduct, using sporting events for non-sporting manifestations, and bringing the sport and UEFA into disrepute. A UEFA statement added that the 'Control, Ethics, and Disciplinary Body (CEDB) will make a decision on the matter in due course'.
In a statement, the Gibraltar FA said: "The Gibraltar FA welcomes the announcement today that UEFA has decided to open formal disciplinary proceedings against Rodri and Álvaro Morata further to the complaint filed by the Gibraltar FA with UEFA.
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"This is an important first step in order to establish the unlawfulness of the chant on the basis of the grounds put forward by the Gibraltar FA in its complaint.
"The Gibraltar FA now awaits the decision of the UEFA Control Ethics and Disciplinary Body when the matter is heard."
Speaking out about the chant shortly after the videos emerged on social media, the Gibraltar FA said in a statement: "The Gibraltar FA has noted the extremely provocative and insulting nature of the celebrations around the Spanish Men's national team winning Euro 2024.
"The Association is this morning taking advice on the filing of a complaint to European Football's governing body, UEFA, in relation to the unacceptable chanting and songs, relating to Gibraltar, sung by Spain's Men's National Team players after winning Euro 2024.
"Football has no place for behaviour of this nature."
The government of Gibraltar was also quick to response, angrily saying: “His Majesty’s Government of Gibraltar is disappointed to note that several players of the Spanish male national football team celebrated their European Cup win with chants of rancid remarks about Gibraltar.
“This is a totally unnecessary mixing of a great sporting success with discriminatory political statements that are hugely offensive to Gibraltarians. The lamentable use of the platform of celebrations around winning the Eurocup for advancing the idea of usurping the territory of Gibraltar is contrary to the principle that sport should not be used to advance any politically controversial ideology.”
Spain's celebrations kickstarted not long after the final whistle, with Chelsea defender Marc Cucurella certainly enjoying himself.
After taking a swipe at Gary Neville, he stood on a table and sang a song about himself: "Cucu Cucurella eats paella. Cucu Cucurella drinks an Estrella. [Erling] Haaland trembles that Cucurella is coming."
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Cucurella performed it again in Madrid on Monday night as Spain celebrated a record fourth Euros win.
The in-demand Nico Williams scored the opener just moments into the start of the second-half in Berlin, capitalising on poor England defending.
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Cole Palmer hit back for the Three Lions with his effort from outside the area with 73 minutes played to offer hope of a comeback.
However, Mikel Oyarzabal emerged as Spain's hero four minutes from full-time as he netted from close range to seal the victory.